Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a very common medical problem experienced by many men and women. Hemorrhoids occur when veins in the anal area swell. When the swelling is inside the rectum they are internal hemorrhoids. Outside the rectum, the swollen veins are called external hemorrhoids. Some of the usual causes of the swelling veins are constipation and straining during bowel movements, pregnancy and anything else that contributes to pressure on the veins in the anal area.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids are itching or pain in the anal area. Straining to have a bowel movement can cause the hemorrhoids to bleed. Internal hemorrhoids don’t usually cause pain or itching but they may bleed. Rectal bleeding may be a symptom of something more serious so don’t assume that hemorrhoids are the cause.

Some patients choose to discuss the issue with their family physician first. Others opt to go directly to a proctologist. A proctologist is a physician who specializes in treating disorders of the anus, rectum and colon. There are many online directories and resources for locating a proctologist in your area or you may wish to start with your family doctor and find out if he or she would recommend a visit to a proctologist.

Your family doctor or proctologist will diagnose hemorrhoids with an exam that may involve inserting his or her gloved finger into the patient’s rectum or using a lighted scope to get a view of the area. Once the diagnosis of hemorrhoids is made, a number of treatments are available.

Non-surgical procedures to treat hemorrhoids include shrinking the hemorrhoid by putting a small rubber band around it or injecting it with a solution. Other methods cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid with infrared light or a laser. These methods are intended to shrink the hemorrhoid. If none of these methods work, surgery may be necessary to remove the hemorrhoids.

One of the newer non-surgical procedures uses a very low direct current that is gently applied to the hemorrhoid, targeting the blood vessel leading to the hemorrhoid. When blood flow to the hemorrhoid is interrupted, the hemorrhoid begins to shrink. It will continue to shrink for 7-10 days after treatment. The procedure only takes about 10 minutes to perform and requires no anesthesia or special preparations. Patients are able to return to their normal activities right after treatment.